Water borne diseases and parasites from contaminated water is a major cause of concern for dogs.Here are just a few reasons to always have clean water available for your dog:
Leptospirosis is a common waterborne disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira. The bacteria can infect both humans and dogs, though is more common in dogs. Dogs at highest risk are those who routinely swim in stagnant bodies of water, rivers, lakes, and streams. Leptospirosis causes a wide variety of symptoms, making it a difficult disease to diagnose as the signs vary widely. Fever, muscle tenderness, shivering, vomiting, changes in urination, jaundice, and kidney failure are just some of the signs seen.
Pythiosis: With a nickname like “swamp cancer,” you know it’s nothing good. The organism attaches itself to small wounds in the skin or gastrointestinal tract and grows into large, often ulcerated lesions.
Blue/Green Algae : These algae can produce toxins with severe effects on pets and people. Algal toxins come in a variety of forms and can affect any of the following systems: skin, GI tract, liver, and central nervous system.
Giardiasis : One of several microscopic parasites known to cause diarrhea in both dogs and humans, Giardia lamblia is an organism many dog owners are familiar with. Giardia causes a sudden onset of diarrhea in dogs.
Cryptosporidiosis: One of the nastier waterborne diseases, cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. Both the parasite and the disease are often referred to as “crypto” by those unfortunate enough to have encountered it. Multiple species of Cryptosporidium exist in different animal species and some can cross-infect humans. It is one of the most common waterborne diseases linked to recreational water. Dogs are infected by ingesting the infective oocysts in contaminated food or water. Crypto causes watery diarrhea, which can lead to severe dehydration.